Ask HN: Going freelance. What are your best advice to new consultant?

5 points by phlux 15y ago ↗ HN

I am going freelance consultant as of 6/1 -- I am excited yet nervous.<p>What are your best tools for keeping your self organized, managing client info/time/data/etc?<p>I am a health care systems design consultant - not a developer. Ill need to track time spent, just found Toggl. and invoice etc..<p>What do you do as a consultant?

4 comments

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michaelpinto 15y ago ↗

A tool won't keep you managed, only you can keep you managed. So I wouldn't go crazy with trying to find the perfect tool, aim for something that's simple and easy to maintain so you can focus on billable time and marketing.

phlux 15y ago ↗

Thanks, that sounds like sensible advice.

joshkaufman 15y ago ↗

Read these Alan Weiss books immediately:

"Getting Started in Consulting" - http://personalmba.com/review/getting-started-in-consulting/

"Value-Based Fees" - http://personalmba.com/review/value-based-fees/

(Links are my short reviews / overviews.)

chrisbennet 15y ago ↗

Never "loan" the client more than 2 weeks salary. If they can't do 10 days net then offer to work off a retainer.